Visible in this cosmic scene is the region around the Lacerta OB1 association. Depicting the dulcet diaphanous elongated dusty globule LBN 438; seemingly situated between the colourful glowing spheres of bright stars.

In addition to multiple clouds of dust, faint emission nebulosity belonging to the giant emission nebula Sh2-126 is scattered throughout the frame, the connective cosmic thread to the nearby globule LBN 437. Distant galaxies many millions of light years in the distance jostle for attention for the careful scrutiny of keen eyed observers.

Dust clouds such as this one are optically visible to a mysterious phenomenon known as extended red emission (ERE), which is caused by the interaction of dust particles with surrounding radiation from bright stars. It is more prominently visible as a red glow around the northern ‘head’ of the globule as a result of this part directly facing the primary ionizing star in this region, 10 Lacertae.

With an almost lifelong obsession with the universe, his interests include deep sky objects, particularly planetary nebulae, galaxies and exotic stellar ejecta. A never ending curiosity compels him to continue to explore the vast realm of obscure deep sky objects. Contact Sakib.